Page 126 of No Mistake

“Thanks. No, about ten minutes ago. It’s been good to meet everyone properly.”

Ryan had seen Chloe a few times while he was recovering. Chloe had wanted to talk to him about some of what happened, and Ryan had been happy to take the time to answer her questions.

Ryan turned back to Sophie looking lost in thought.

“You OK?”

Sophie smiled. “Just watching the two people I love the most.”

Ryan kissed her gently. “Come on, let’s go say hi to our hosts.”

All of Onyx were there, including Sam. Mira was the only one missing, apparently she had another commitment. They found Dex and Kelly chatting with Sam and Steve.

“Where’s Megan and Diane?” Ryan asked Steve. Megan, Steve and Diane’s eight-year-old daughter, was the only child among the team. She had no idea she had five very over-protective uncles at her disposal. Eleven, if you included Nyx.

“Oh, she’s at a birthday party. Almost didn’t want to go. She wanted to be here because Uncle Dex’s barbecues are the best.”

Dex grinned. “What can I say? Your daughter has taste. Diane working?”

“Something like that,” Steve said, taking a drink.

Ryan, Dex, and Sam exchanged a look, Kelly picked up on it.

“Come on, Sophie, let’s grab Chloe and have a little girl time. I can only take so much testosterone.” Kelly grinned at them. The girls walked up the beach in search of Chloe.

“Everything OK, Steve?” Dex asked.

Steve took another drink. “Fantastic.” None of them missed the sardonic tone, but Steve quickly changed the subject.

“Good luck to them dragging Chloe away.” Steve pointed up the beach where Mackie was whispering something in Chloe’s ear. “It seems Mackie is keeping her occupied.”

“Fuck. Mackie better not mess with her, Sophie will kill him,” Ryan said, only half joking.

“You got that right.” Dex tapped the neck of his beer bottle to Ryan’s.

A cellphone rang, Sam stepped away from them to take the call. Dex cursed. “Hope that’s not a fucking op. Not even had a burger yet.”

Ryan and Steve laughed.

“What’s up with Tyler? He’s been on his phone all afternoon,” Steve asked.

Dex shrugged. “No idea.”

Ryan stayed quiet, wondering if it was to do with Mira. He had teased Tyler about their flirting, but Tyler had been as adamant as Mira there was nothing going on.

“Then, I will take it upon myself to get the man a beer and find out.” Steve grabbed two more beers from the cooler before taking off in Tyler’s direction.

“Something’s off with him,” Dex said.

“Maybe he and Diane had an argument,” Ryan mused.

Sam had finished his call and rejoined them.

“We gotta go?” Dex asked.

“No. You’re good,” Sam said, but he wasn’t smiling.

Ryan looked at Dex. Something was up.

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